[Ennui]

No I don't suppose it matters.  Knowing that it's a triple A does.  I'll have to make educated guesses I'm thinking Horizon or Evo.  No that's not important at this point but it will become important if we are to align in this, food for thought.  If you think rivaling a criminal syndicate will be an easy or short term goal, well...I think I will need a little convincing of that.

So short term, what can I help you with?  You trusted me enough to bring me into your plans in this small way.  I understand if you want to keep me in the dark as to specifics but I am a professional as well and there is a certain etiquette to follow.  I don't sell out business partners as a matter of propriety, but words are just that.  If you have investigated me, and I would be disappointed if you hadn't, you know my reputation proceeds me.  My ability to help is directly tied to how much I know, so tell me what you feel you can and we'll conspire accordingly.

I lean back and raise my glass with a nod and take a drink.

[Mercy Merchant]

Jezzabel looks over to Glinda.  "You are known but we do not know anything about her." 

Jessica squeezes her sister's arm, quieting her.  "Sorry about that.  She can be very blunt.  Yes, we have done some research and have picked up some information on you, Lizzie, but almost nothing on Glinda.  She has been seen in your company, though, and it is assumed that you trust her."

[Ennui]

I do trust her, but fair enough.  Glinda, would you mind excusing us for a while?

When she is out of earshot I turn back to the Jessie's.  Are you put at ease?  She was just concerned for my safety as, I'm sure you are aware, there isn't much known about you and yours.  I don't mind blunt, blunt can be refreshing.

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda nods and leaves the table without saying anything.  Jessica waits until she is gone and you have spoken to reply.  "Thank you.  That woman might be your friend, but she gives me the willies and that takes something.  I took the liberty of assensing both of you, as I am sure that you have done with us.  You are impressive and I think that we are very much alike, but your friend is just scary.  She is reading as a perfectly normal woman with no emotions evident other than calm.  Now, I could see that with someone who is going about a normal wageslave sort of existence, but I rather doubt that she is a normal wageslave if she is helping you.  And nobody I know can hide an aura that well, so I am wary of her.  Are you aware if she has the ability to mask herself?"

[Ennui]

Of course.  It's a very handy skill to have.  I hope to learn it soon myself.  She is scary, however she has proven herself trustworthy to me and I am proud to call her friend.  However, she left so that we could privately discuss your plans, not so that we could talk of her behind her back.  You have my word that I will keep information compartmentalized.  Shall we discuss your plans then?

[Mercy Merchant]

>>I am outside and waiting in the car.  Ping me if you need me and I will be with you before you know it.<<

Jessica nods.  "Point taken and I am sorry.  We are firmly committed to moving slowly and would not even be as far along as we are were it not for circumstance.  Five of us infiltrated different gangs with the idea that we would eventually work our way to the top of the ladder in each and be ready with a larger gang with which to challenge the authority of Renraku corporation.  Three of the gangs ran into problems and we had to move faster than we had planned.  Two former gang leaders died while out on gang activities and a third proved to be so incompetent that he was destroying the gang from within and needed to be replaced.  The other two are moving according to schedule.  We were originally looking at another three years or so before being ready to make some of our challenges."

[Ennui]

Okay so again that's the long term plan and it will be good to know moving forward but surely you have more stages than Phase One: gain control of gangs,  Phase Two: use them to attack Renraku.  You will need to train your people.  You will need intelligence to know where to strike them and when.  Renraku won't be some push over you will need resources.  Three years is optimistic in my opinion, but then again I don't know the full extent of your current resources but I think I have a fairly good idea..

But again this is long term plans, how can I help you now?  I mean besides our current business venture.  I'm assuming Jessie's gang is the incompetent one that you were referring to? 

Also I can make heavier designer drugs for quickly enhanced shock troops.  I wouldn't try to rely on that too much, that would be for like emergencies and mission critical ops.

[Mercy Merchant]

Jessica laughs, "No, the idiot he is currently working for is a genius compared to the one Jessup was with.  Our short term goals are pretty defined by surviving and taking over these gangs, but we could listen to other ideas.  What do you have in mind?"

[Ennui]

Well, I could help with the gangs.  I got the impression that you were looking for allies and our purposes seem aligned.  So I offered our assistance, or rather Glinda did and I agreed. 

I propose an alliance.  I don't run my gang but they all know who keeps them happy.  Once we get them trained up and disciplined we can consolidate.  Make a kind of meta gang where each individual gang will be a feeder to the true organization.  Directly run by our little council here.  We can use the money from our enterprises to enhance our people, supply them with high quality armaments.  Honestly the only thing I can see us lacking are hackers.  I don't suppose any of you have a specialty in this area?

I have a few ideas that can consolidate the power base as well.  I had been considering a project where I test the locals for magical abilities and train them and make a magician corp.  I never thought it would be feasible in the small scale of my gangs territory, but if we all contributed there should be a few teachable ones.

[Mercy Merchant]

All of the others turn to look at Jezzabel when you ask about hackers.  Jessica gently squeezes her sister's arm.  "Jezzabel keeps us all in and protected.  Her mind was..............altered..............a bit by our creators to be very good at that.  Sadly, what they did also had some negative side effects on her personality.  Something else they will pay for."

"Mages are rare and good ones even rarer.  Effective training can take a long time.  Are you looking for young ones to put in some sort of school?  Or older ones that are already trained?"

[Ennui]

I was thinking the young ones, but both would be suitable.  Like I said this would be long term but handy in consolidating the powerbase.

[Mercy Merchant]

Jessica nods and looks to the others before turning back to you.  "We can certainly get behind that.  Do you have a place in mind to send kids to and a teacher, yet, or is this the first step in that direction?"

[Ennui]

I have my eye on a few properties in my immediate area, but nothing set in stone.

[Mercy Merchant]

"Well, that gives us a bit of time.  But perhaps you could work up some sort of package like to have provided to Jess and Jessie for Jessup.  I can't really use it and neither can Jasmine or Jezzabel.  I think that we can make a good start on spreading the drugs around and putting a portion of the money aside to make improvements.  So, is this the group, or is Glinda to be involved in the decision process?  I feel bad about chasing her away and should make an apology if you had thought to include her."

[Ennui]

I just so happen to have a supply on me.  Jessie was able to pay his up front but Jess and I worked out a slightly different deal.  You want the whole set it's up front, you want 50 cram I'm willing to let that go on credit and you can owe me.

As for Glinda, I don't see the need for her to be included at this time, but I will covet her council on these matters as I would all of my friends.  I can guarantee our complete discretion though.  She's part of my crew and she probably deserves the apology, but she's a big girl she understands it's just biz.

So let me make sure i understand Jessica and Jezzabel have not infiltrated gangs you have this mercenary company instead.  Jessup Jess and your detained sister Jasmine have already taken control of theirs and Jessie is close to doing so himself.  May I ask why Jasmine doesn't want to get in on our little business plan?  Also that brings us full circle to why this meeting was set up after all.   I noticed Jessie and Jessica had similar attitudes names and looks and I put two and two together while we were brainstorming ways to help Jessie take care of his problem and frankly I wouldn't mind offing that oaf who runs his gang anyway.  He suggested a sit down with everyone...or did I?  Well we seemed to agree that would be a good idea.  Are you intent on waiting for his play or can we update that time table...that pig can't be doing a good job running that gang.

Oh and we should probably establish which gangs are in our little circle.  I know Jessie's and Jess' but not the others.  We are called Scarlet Blades we own the territory between Jess and Jessie's groups and a little bit more north of them.

OOC:  I don't actually know their gangs but I scouted them so my character should know.